Explosive operated tool



July 16, 1935.- P. E. LITTLEHALE EXPLOS IVE OERATED TOOL 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1933 July 16, l935 l P. E. LITTLEHALE 2,008,362

EXPLOS IVE OPERATED TOOL Filed Jan. 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES ExPLosrvE OPEBATED Tool.

Philip E. Littlehale, Middletown, Conn., assignor to Frederick A. Pearson, Great Barrington,

Mass.

Application January Z'l, 1933, Serial No. 653,882

22 Claims.

My invention relates to tools such as those used in splicing cables, punching or cutting metal or other materials and for other purposes wherein it is necessary to apply a great force to a limited area of the .material operated upon. My invention is particularly directed to portable tools operated by an explosive charge.

Heretofore in splicing cables itI has been usual to employ a power operated press capable of indenting or deforming the metal of the cable and that of a surrounding sleeve in order to provide a firm bond between the metal of the sleeve and cable. Such devices are ordinarily large and cumbersome and require compressed air or hydraulic pressure for their operation. Tools of this type are not adapted for use by linemen working on the top of a pole or in confined, underground connection vaults because of the size and weight of the tools themselves and of the appurtenant power supply lines etc. Furthermorait is not always convenient to transportl compressors or vother similar equipment over the rugged areas through which power lines often extend; Y

In accordance with my invention these objections vare overcome and a tool or press provided which is small and compact but which is capable of indenting or deforming metallic parts and of performing die operations. The `device is easily portable and may be operated by hand under conditions which would preclude the use of the usual power press. Y

Although Vdesigned and built primarily as a convenient tool for the splicing of heavy copper wires by indenting the sleeve connecting the ends of two wires, the invention is also adapted for many other purposes and may be conveniently used to repair aeroplane struts or to aflix the members of light metal towers and for similar uses wherein the deformation of metal enables metal parts to be joined.

It has previously been suggested that presses or cutting and punching tools could be operated by means of an explosive charge. However, such tools ordinarily employ a captive plunger or hammer movable within a barrel which-also constitutes the explosion chamber. For this reason it is necessary frequently to clean the device by dlsassembling the parts to remove soot and dirt accumulating in the barrel after each explosion.

In accordance with my invention this difficulty isovercome by providing a free projectile or working element which vperforms the functions of the usual plunger or die member of the press. The working element is introduced into one end of the barrel preferably in the form of a loaded cartridge and on being projected through the barrel cleans out all soot and accumulated dirt so that the tool may be used repeatedly without cleaning or disassembling the parts.

(Cl. Mil-113) It is an object of my invention to provide a simple and inexpensive tool actuated by an explosive charge. l

Another object of my invention is to provide a tool in which the working element is freely movable through and out f the barrel of the tool. f

A further object of my invention is to provide means for preventing the escape of the working element from the tool in suchA a manner as to endanger the operator or to permit the use of the tool as a firearm.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel method of splicing cables and performing other metal working operations wherein it is necessary to apply a great force to a limited area of the material upon which work is to be done.

These and other objects and features of 4my invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, illustrated in the accompanying gures of the drawings; in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a preferred form Vof device adapted for splicing cables;

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the form of device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1 with the firing mechanism in the cocked position;

Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred Vform of mechanism for holding the work in position to be operated upon;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line 5 5;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 'l is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 'l-l in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a rear view' of the device shown in Fig. v1;

` Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the forward part of the apparatus with the working element in engagement with the cable splicing elements;

Fig. l0 illustrates a modified form of the lnvention in which a special working element is used, and

Fig'. 11 is a sectional view and Fig. 12 a View from the bottomv of a further modification of the invention adapted for use in punching sheets or bars of materials.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, is designed for splicing cables and is provided with a handle I to which is secured a frame 2. A barrel 3 is slidably mounted in the frame to permit easy loading and ejecting' of the cartridge used. The upper portion of the frame carries the firing mechanism by means of which the tool is operated. In order to po- 2 sition l the cable splicing elements or other work with respect to the barrel, I provide the forward end of the barrel with a positioning member 4, having aI supporting surface, preferably constructed to permit the insertion of cables and cable splicing elements of dierent sizes. The

supporting surface, indicated bythe numeral 5,`

is illustrated as having converging sides and a rounded bottom adapting it to receive and position the cable splicing elements irrespective of their size. In order to facilitate the insertion of the work the positioning member 4 is connected to the barrel by the leg 6, disposed at one side of the barrel proper so that the supporting surface is spaced from the end of the barrel a suflicient distance to permit the removal of the.working element from the end of the barrel upon the completion of an operation. The space between the supporting surface and the end of the barrel is therefore open on three sides-so that the cable splicing elements may be readily insertedY and removed, or the operator may merely hook the supporting member 4 over the cable splicing element, seating the latter in the recessed portion of the supporting surface 'without further manipulation of the tool and elements vbefore ring the working element against the work.

Ordinarily I prefer to use spring pressed guards 8, formed to enclose the' space between the end of the barrel and theacable splicing elements or other work. These guards may be formed as shown in Fig. 4, with the forward ends thereof recessed at 9 to engage the work and hold it securely against vthe supporting surface and in alignment with the barrel. The guards 8 are secured to rods I extending lthrough bosses I I carried by the frame and surrounded by a spring I2, housed within the bosses and engaging a bushing I3 secured to the rods I0. The guards are normally urged forward into engagement with the work but are provided with handles or tabs I4 which may be pulled rearwardly by the operator holding the tool. 4

By enclosing the space between the barrel and the,supporting surface, I not only prevent the escape of the working element but also reduce the sound of the explosion appreciably. After the operation has been completed the operator retracts the guards 8 by means of the handle I4 releasing the work and permitting the working element to drop out or be removed from the end of the barrel.

'Ihe working element may take various form depending upon the character of the work to be performed. In splicing cables, I usually use a cylindrical bolt or projectile such as that shown in Figs. l and 9, provided with an annular groove I5 which serves to retain the working element in the cartridge shell during transportation and handling. The end of the shell is provided with an inwardly turned flange engaging the recess I5. However, the working element may be carried by the cartridge in any other suitable way. I have found it possible, with the construction described above, to use the same working element over and over again by merely inserting the element into the end ofla charged cartridge. I generally crimp the end of -the cartridge into therecess I5 to prevent the working element from being lost but this precaution is not essential to successful operation.

In order to provide means for identifying the operator or the tool used, the end of the working element may have a figure, letter or design formed thereon so that upon engaging the work the design is impressed in the metal. For various purposes and particularly when the tool is used for punching holes of irregular shape in the material operated upon, the working element may be given any desired shape or configuration consistent with the use thereof in a tool of this character.

The tool is easily loaded and the empty cartridge ejected from the barrel by sliding the barrel forward within the frame. Similarly, the structure is designed to permit ready removal and replacement of the barrel from the frame by sliding same forward. The lower face of the barrel is designed to rest upon the bearing Surface I8 of the frame, while the upper surface is provided with longitudinally extending guides I9 and adjacent tracks I9. 'Ihe sides 20 of the upper portion of the frame bear against the guides I9 and rest in the tracks I9 to maintain the parts in alignment during relative movement thereof..

The barrel is normally held in fixed position with respect to the frame to prevent relative movement of the parts by means of a pivoted locking arm 2|, carried by the barrel and moveable into engagement With locking Vprojections 22 formed on the frame. The locking arm is secured to the barrel by the pivot pin 23. An extension 24 on the opposite side of the pivot pin 23 is provided with a pin 25 extending into a recess 26 formed in the barrel. A spring 21 surrounding the pin urges the extension 24 upwardly so that the locking arm, on the opposite side of pin 23, is urged downward into engagement with the locking projection 22 on the frame. When the locking arm 2| is raised the barrel is easily moved forward.

The rearward end of the barrel is provided at the top thereof with an ejector plate 28 having a longitudinal slot 29 therein, into which extends the screw or studI 30. The plate 28 is formed on either Vside with a flange extending into the groove 28' to prevent displacement of the ejector plate. 'I'he rearward end thereof is provided with a downwardly projectingportion 32 formed to engage the rim of a cartridge located in the explosion chamber 3 of the barrel, so that rearward movement of the ejector plate with respect to the barrel will effect removal of the empty shell from the explosion chamber. The ejector plate is moved forward with the barrel until the end of the plate is brought into engagement with the stop 3l carried by the frame and projecting into the groove 3|' extending along the top of the barrel. Continued forward movement of the barrel therefore causes thel ejector plate to be moved rearwardly with respect to the barrel until the stud engages the forward end of the slot 29. The cartridge in the explosion chamber is thus ejected and the explosion chamber is opened so that a new cartridge and working element may be'inserted for a succeeding operation.

When the gun is to be disassembled for cleaning or the insertion of a barrel having a different bore or structure, the stop 3|,4 which is normally urged downward into engagement with the upper surface of the barrel bythe spring 34, may be raised by operation of the lever 33 so that it clears the ejector plate. The barrel may then be slid farther forward and removed from the frame altogether.

For many purposes it is desirable to provide a series of barrels having different bores or congurations to accommodate working elements of 52 between the upper and lower extensions 50' ten or indent the sleeve at the points serves to limit the rearward movement of the cent the supporting surface 5. By forming retypesof 'work and'performing numerous alterof specially formed. working,y elements. .However, for cable` splicing operationsy the-'use of pointed, lead or jacketed bullets is-usually less satisfactorythan ,the use. of a flat nosed, steel y. f e, ,working element of the form illustrated. Any suitable type of ring mechanism may be When the cartridge lhas been inserted into the employed for discharging the,`cartridge and, as tool the barrel is'moved rearwardly seating the illustrated, trigger operated Afiring mechanism 'is cartridge in the explosion chamber. The lockpreferred.r In the. construction illustrated in the ing arm is then moved into engagement with the drawings, the lring pin 35 is mounted in position locking projections 22 von the frame to secure to explode fthe cartridge and is prevented from the barrel and frame against relative moverotation or displacement by theV tongue 35 held ment.. y'Ihe operator then rgrasps .the haniny placei by the screw 3l. lThe hammer 38 is dle of the tool and with one finger draws mounted on the pivot pin'39 and is movable into the handle I4 on the guard 8 rearward so that the cocked position by the vcocking handle 40, the space between the end of the barrel and the pivotally connected to the hammer by the pivot supporting surface is open. .The copper sleeve, pin 4I. The hammer is held in the cocked posiwith the vcable ends positioned therein, is then tion by a sear 42, adapted to engage anotch 43 placed on the supporting surface 5 and then in the upper portion ofthe hammer above the handle I4 released, whereby the guard `8 moves pivot pinf39. The sear is rotatable about'the pin forward and engages the sleeve holding the same 44 and is urged into engagement with the notch firmly in engagement with the supporting sur- 43 by means of the spring 45. Th'e upper portion face and` in alignment with the barrel 3. The of the hammer is provided with'a projection 50 operator then presses the trigger 41 causing the engaged by the rearward end 5| of the ring rod ring pin to engage and fire the cartridge to 5I. The firing rodV is urged rearwardly by a shoot the working element through the barrel strong spring 52 so that, upon disengagement of and into engagement with the sleeve. The the sear 42 from the notch 43. the firing rod rocks sleeve being formed of relatively soft metal is the hammer about its pivot 39 bringing the hamindented as shown in Fig. 9, forming a rm bond mer forceably into engagement with the firing between the sleeve and the cable. As many inpin 35 to re the cartridge. The rearward end of dentations as desired may be made in the sleeve the firing rod is formed with extensions 50 posiand they may be spaced and positioned as detioned above and/below the pivot pin 39 and on sired. either side of the sear 42, serving to prevent dis- The impact of the working element on the placement of the sear with respect to the upper sleeve not only forms an indentation on'the portion of the hammer. The in ner end of thcslot side thereof facing the barrel, but may also vflat- 65 adja- 068,362 'diferentsizes and shapes. The tool is tl'us adapted ffor use in splicing a complete' range of `sizes of cablesA or forQpunching or stamping diierent native operations.I

ring rod upon release thereof in firing the tool. cesses or raised areas on the surface 5 it is there- As shown in Fig. 3 the parts are in their cocked fore possible to provide indentations on opposite position ready forring. In order to retractthewsides of the sleeve or at points spaced circumsear and release the hammer for ring, the sear is ferentially of the sleeve if desired. However, rocked about its pivot 44 by means of the trigger the provision of indentations other than that operated rod 46 pivotally connected to the lower formed by the working element is not ordinarily portion of the sear. The rod 46 is moved forward necessary. by pressing the trigger 41, which is pivoted for The form of theinvention illustrated .in Fig. movement about the pin 48, and connected at its is adapted for producing relatively large inupper end above the pivot 48 to the rod 4S. Thus dentations or for punching small or irregular in firing the tool, pressingof the trigger moves holes in the material. In this arrangement a the rod 46 forward rocking the sear about its Small'hammer or Working element is pivotally pivot 44 so that the scar is moved out of engagesecured to a pin 60 by means of a screw 6|. The ment with the notch 43 and the hammer is rehammer itself is indicated by the numeral 62 leased for firing. and extends into the space between the end of After firing, the mechanism assumes the pothe barrel and the supporting surface 5 so as sition shown in Fig.,.1 with the sear engaging to be engaged by a .bullet 0r projectile shot the notch 53 holding the hammer in the halfthrough the barrel 3`and against thehammer.

cocked position. The rearward end of thevring Ordinarily I employ a spring 62. for urging the rod is not in engagement with the projection hammer 62 toward the member and against 5|) until cocking of the firing mechanism, which the work positioned thereon. v closes the small gap between this rearward end In each of the forms of the invention deand the projection 50 and compresses the spring scribed above it is preferable that the bullet or 52, thus preparing the mechanism for a. subseworking element, when it comes to rest in enquent firing operation. gagement with the work, or the working ele- In splicing cables with the tool described above ment in the case of the structure shown in Fig. the ends of the cable 64 are inserted into a, soft 10, shall not pass completely out of the end of copper sleeve 63, as shown inY Fig. 9. The tool the barrel. As shown in Fig. 9 the working eleis loaded by raising the locking arm 2| and movment, upon engagement with the cable splicing ing the barrel forward to permit' the insertion elements 63 and 64, is brought to rest with the of a cartridge carrying the working element into rearward portion of the working element extendthe rear of the barrel or explosionchamber. The ing a distance of one-eighth to three-sixteenths size, shape and Weight of the working element, of an inch into the barrel. The gases of the r as Well as the charge of powder or other exexplosion kare thus dissipated comparatively plosive material used, are chosen in each case to slowly so that the sound of the explosion is mufeffect the desired operation on the work. VIn some ed. This is of particular advantage where the instances I may use an ordinary loaded cartridge operator is working in a conned space where such as that used. in ordinary fire arms instead the sound of the explosionwould otherwise be deafening and extremely annoying. After the operation, removal of the work permits ready removal of the working element.

In the form of the invention illustratedjn Figs. 11 and 12 the tool is designed for use as a punch and the forward end of the positioning member is provided with an aperture in alignment with the barrel and is formed with a lateral openingthrough which the material punched out of the work may be removed. The aperture shown at 65 is preferably of somewhat'larger diameter than the working element or projectile used, so as to permit removal of the working element from the hole formed in the work. In some instances it may be desirable to form the lateral opening 68 of such length that the working element may pass directly through the work itself and be removed with the punched out material through the lateral opening. The form of invention shown in lliigs. 11 and 12 is particularly useful in punching holes of irregular shape,- and provides a simple and convenient method of forming irregularly shaped apertures as well as those of regular geometric form.

Y In each of the forms of the invention described, the rearward thrust due to the'explosion of the cartridge is almost immediately compensated by a comparable forward thrust due to the impact of the working element on the work. For this reason the device is readily handled and because of its light, compact structure it may be easily transported and used under conditions which would preclude the use of the usual power operated tool. The force ofthe projectile or working Y element on engaging the work is of a value equal to that obtained in large stationary presses and equals several tons per square inch.

It will of course be understood that the tool is constructed in a form similar to that of a fire arm for convenience in manipulation and in order to obtain the proper balance for easy handling thereof. However, the'constructionis such that there is no danger whatever that the tool may be used as a weapon.. Furthermore, even in the event the tool is handled carelessly and is fired when there is no work in position on the supporting surface thel guard 8 serves to prevent escape of the working element, insuring the safety of the operator. In actual construction the triggerguard is made sufficiently large to permit the tool to be easily manipulated by an operator wearing rubber gloves.

Although I have illustrated and described preferred forms of'my invention adapted for use in splicing cables and in punching holes in material it will be apparent that the device may be employed for numerous other purposes. Moreover, it will be apparent that various changes in the form and construction of the elements making up the tool may be made. In view thereof, it should be understood that I do not wish to confine my invention to the particular forms set forth above, except as dened by the claims.

l. A tool for performing workon metal or other material comprising a barrel, a working element adapted to be inserted into one end of the barrel and removed from the other end thereof with each operation of the tool, means for exploding a charge of material to actuate said working element and means serving to position the material upon which work is to be performed with Arespect to said barrel adapted to limit movement of the working element in the direction in which it passes through said barrel.

2. A tool for performing work on metal or other material comprising a support for the material to be operated upon. a hammer normally urged toward said support and into engagement with material positioned thereon, a working element and means for projecting said working element against said hammer under the impulse of an explosion to cause said hammer to perform the desired operation on said material.

3. A tool for performing work on metal or other vmaterial comprising a barrel, a working element adapted to be inserted into one end of the barrel and to be removed from the other end of the barrel with each operation of the tool, means for exploding a charge of material to actuate said working element and positioning means spaced from the end of said barrel a suflicient distance to permit removal of the working element from the end of the barrel and extending transversely in front of the barrel serving to limit the movement of the working element in the directionl in which it passes through said barrel.

4. A tool for performing work on metal or other ,I material comprising a barrel, a working element,

means for exploding a charge of material to actuate said element, a supporting surface spaced from the end oi' said barrel for supporting the material to -be operated upon and means for enclosing the space between the end of the barrel and material supported upon said surface.

5. A tool for performing work upon metalsor other material comprising a barrel, a working element adapted to be inserted into one end of said barrel and removed from theother end thereof with each operation of the tool, means for exploding a charge of material to actuate said element, a supporting surface located in front of said barrel and serving to limit movement of the working element in the direction in which it passes through said barrel and means independent of said working element for positioning and holding work against said surface and in alignment with said barrel.

6. A tool for performing work upon metal or other material comprising a barrel, a working element, means for exploding a charge of material to actuate said element, a supporting surface located in front of said barrel and spaced from the end thereof upon which material to be operated upon is positioned and means Iyieldingly urged toward said surface and enclosing the space between the end of said barrel and the material upon said surface.

'7. A portable splicing tool comprising a support for the cable splicing elements, a barrel,

means for shooting a projectile through said barrel and against the cable splicing elements on said support, the support being spaced from the end of the barrel a sulcient distance to permit removal of the projectilev from the end of the barrel.

8. A portable splicing tool comprising a supl of material in said chamber to actuate said working element, a support for cable splicing elements and means for positioning said elements on said support and in front of the end of said barrel whereby the working element is projected under the impulse of the explosion through said barrel and against the cable splicing elements.

10. A tool for performing work on metal or other material comprising a barrel, an explosion chamber communicating with said barrel, a frame upon which said barrel is moveably mounted to open said explosion chamber, a supporting member positioned in front of said barrel, a Working element,adapted to be positioned in said chamber and firing mechanism for exploding a charge of material in said chamber to project said element through said barrel and against work positioned on said supporting member.

11. A tool for performing work on metal or other material comprising a frame, a barrel slidable longitudinally of the frame, means carried by the barrel and engageable with an element on the frame for ejecting a cartridge from'said barrel, in combination with a work support positioned in front of said barrel and a working element moveable within said barrel under the impulse of the explosion on a cartridge.

12. A portable cable splicing tool comprising a frame, ring mechanism carried by said frame, a cartridge carrying a working element and adapted to be exploded by said firing mechanism in combination with a barrel detachable from said frame and provided with a supporting member formed integral with the barrel and spaced from the end thereof.

13. A tool for performing Work on metal or other material comprising a barrel, a support for the material to be operated upon positioned in front of said barrel, a member having at least a portion thereof located between the end of said barrel and said support for operating on said material, a projectile and mechanism for ring said projectile through said barrel and against said member.

14. A tool for performing work upon metal or other material comprising a barrel, a support having an aperture therein in alignment with said barrel, means for shooting a projectile through said barrel and against material positioned on said support to punch a hole therein and means for preventing. free escape of said projectile from said tool.

15. The method of performing work upon metal or other material which comprises positioning a working element in an explosion chamber, placing the material to be operated upon in spaced relation to said working element, exploding a charge of material in said chamber, utilizing the force of the explosion to project said working element from the explosion chamber, through a barrel and against said material and removing said working element from said barrel and from engagement with said material after the force of the explosion has been dissipated.

16. The method of performing work on metal or other material which comprises placing the work on a support and ilring a projectile against the Work through a barrel positioned suiiiciently close to the work to prevent the projectile from escaping from the barrel and thereafter removing the projectile from the barrel.

17. A tool for forming an indentation in metal or other material comprising an explosion chamber, a barrel communicating with said explosion chamber, means for firing a working element through said barrel and means for positioning the material to be indented in front of said barrel, in combination with a working element provided with a characteristic mark formed on the end thereof which engages said material to indent the same.

18. A portable cable splicing tool comprising a rigid support for the cable splicing elements carried by the tool, a barrel, an explosion chamber communicating with said barrel and means for shooting a free projectile through said barrel and against the cable splicing elements on said support under the action of an explosive charge in said chamber into a position in which it may be removed` from the barrel after the force of the explosion has been dissipated.

19. 'I'he method of securing members together which comprises placing said members in overlapping relation on a rigid support, positioning a Working element in an explosion chamber and in spaced relation to said members, exploding a charge of material in said chamber, utilizing the force of the explosion to project the working element from said chamber, through a barrel and against that portion of one of said members which overlaps another and removing the working element from said barrel after the force of the explosion has been dissipated. y

20. The method of splicing cables which comprises inserting the ends of the cable to be spliced into a sleeve, positioning the sleeve with the ends therein on a rigid support, placing a working element in an explosion chamber in spaced relation to said sleeve, exploding a charge of material in said chamber, utilizing the force of the explosion to project theV working element from said chamber, through a barrel and against said sleeve and removing the working element from the barrel after the force of the explosion has been dissipated.

21. 'I'he method of' securing a terminal member to a cable which comprises placing said terminal member in overlapping relation with a cable to which it is to be secured and upon a rigid support, placing a working element in an explosion chamber and in spaced relation to said terminal member, exploding a charge of material in said chamber, utilizing the force of the explosion to project the working element from said chamber, through a barrel and against that portion ofY the terminal member overlying the cable and removing the working element from said barrel after the force of said explosion has been dissipated.

22. A portable cable splicing tool having a. barrel, a working element movable within said barrel under the action of an explosive charge and a support for the cable splicing elements positioned in front of said barrel and spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to permit removal of the working element from the end of the barrel after completion of the working operation, said support being connected to the barrel by means presenting an open-sided recess for the insertion of the cable splicing elements between the end of the barrel and the support.

PHILIP E. LITTLEHALE. 

